Closure for collapsible tubes and containers



' Feb. 22, 1938. F. MCLAUGHUN 2,109,397

CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND CONTAINERS Filed June 15, 1955 rM LailgkTih Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND CONTAINERS Frank McLaughlin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Douglas Henderson, Toronto, Qntario, Canada Application June 13, 1935, Serial no. 26,445 4 claims. (.01. 221-60) Collapsible tubes and similar containers such as used for dispensing-fluid, semi-fluid or pasty substances, have usually heretofore been pro-' vided with. either a screw cap which is removed to permit the contents .of the container to be discharged, or a cap having a partial rotary movement which in one position covers the discharge opening and in another position exposes the latter. Bothpf these types of closures are objectionable in that in the one case the cap is left off by the user and in the other case the discharge opening is left exposed, thus permitting the contents of the container adjacent the discharge opening to dry, thus rendering the material unfit for use and making it difiicult to force the dry material adjacent the outlet out of the way to obtain the softer .and fresher material lower down in the container.

The object of my invention is therefore to devise a closure whichwill automatically open up to allow the contents to escape when pressure is applied tosqueeze together the walls of the container and which will automatically close when the pressure on the container is relieved.

My object may be attained by means of various constructions such as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the closure;

Fig. 2 a plan view of the same, the neck portion 30 of the tube being shown in sections; and

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the valve member.

In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different'figures.

35 Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 5 indicates the top of a collapsible tube or container having the extension 2 at its upper end in the upper wall of which extension is provided the outlet 3, normally closed by a valve member 5.

40 The neck or extension 2 of the tube is formed with a central annular flange 8, forming an annular recess between which extend spaced annular flanges 9 on the under side of an annular plunger ill which carries, by means of the spaced between the plunger and bottom of the recess legs e the valve 4. The spring 5 is positioned of. the tube is stopped the spring returns the valve to seated position.

What I claim as my invention is:--

1. A collapsible tube or container having a nec portion provided with a central opening in the top thereof; an annular shoulder formed at the lower end, of said neck having an upwardly directed annular recess; a valve for said central opening; an annular plunger movable in the neck portion above the annular shoulder; spaced legs 10 connecting said valve and plunger; an annular flange on said plunger extending into the recess; and a spring in said recess normally tending to move the plunger to seat the valve.

2. A collapsible tube or container having a neck portion provided with-a central opening in the top thereof; an annular shoulder formed at the lower end of said neck having an upwardly directed annular recess; a valve for said central opening; an annular plunger movable in theneck portion above the annular shoulder, spaced legs connecting said valve and plunger; a pair of spaced annular flanges on said plunger extending into the recess; and a spring having one end positioned between said flanges and its other end in said recess normally tending to move the plunger to seat the valve. v

3. Acollapsible tube or container having a neck portion provided with a central outlet in the top thereof; an annular shoulder formed at the lower end of said neck having an outwardly directed annular recess, an. annular plunger movable in said recess, an inwardly movable valve carried by said plunger for controlling said outlet; and

resilient means in said recess normally tending position above the plunger before passing to the outlet; and resilient means in said recess normally tending to move the plunger to seat the valve.

FRANK McLAUGI-ILIN. 

